Descriptive epidemiology

A research design is a method of connecting theoretical research concerns with applicable empirical research. There are several types of study designs, including descriptive, exploratory, and experimental. The research study conducted by Hall et al. (2017) is an example of a descriptive research design. The primary goal of descriptive research is to create an accurate and appropriate picture of the key factors relevant to a certain research situation. Descriptive research design is less exploratory and more structured by definition. The primary goal of Hall et al. (2017) investigation is to confirm the unclear assumptions about Mycobacterium TB transmission among elderly individuals in Japan. The research study aim is to determine whether the tuberculosis transmission is due to the previous Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission or a depiction of a historical disease. The level of tuberculosis cases has reduced ranging between low to modest over the past recent years. However, the level of tuberculosis has alarmingly increased among the old individuals.

The Yamagata tuberculosis survey primary role is to help build a precise rationale for the high prevalence on tuberculosis transmission among the aged people in the society. The Yamagata survey serves as a representation of all the other places in the world experiencing the tuberculosis prevalence among the old individuals. Case study research methodology is employed as an experiential inquiry to examine the transmission of tuberculosis disease among the elderly. A population-based study was launched in 2009 to help monitor the tuberculosis transmission in Yamagata region (Hall et al., 2017). Four hundred and ninety-four strains analyses were performed with three hundred and eighty-seven of the strains derived from the old people. The research study uses both primary and secondary source of data these include regular data submission and historical data records respectively from the health centers with the region. Public Health centers regularly submitted collected strains to the Yamagata Institute of Health Center with sixty days of tuberculosis notification: which is a primary source of data.

The research variables include demographic, medical, epidemiologic and microbiologic properties of the patients (Hall et al., 2017). Seventy cases of epidemiologic correlations were confirmed current transmission in twenty-two clusters. Out of the twenty-two groups, seventeen groups were from the old individuals in nursing centers. Statistical regression techniques were used to evaluate the patients’ past historical health records. The regression analysis established the probability correlation between cluster development and epidemiologic properties. The case study results illustrated rapid transmission of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis among patients aged sixty and above. The research findings also indicate that the old people are responsible for tuberculosis contraction among the young people. Hall et al. (2017) research recommends strategic tuberculosis preventive measures employed amongst the old people. The results designate that non-household areas inhabited by old people promote rapid transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

However, the research study experienced various limitations. The clarification uncertainty of epidemiologic correlations among the sampled tuberculosis incidences enhanced biasedness of result conclusion. The accurate results of specific locations of tuberculosis contraction for the young individuals could have been ignored due to the numerous collections of data from the sites. The disabilities and death of old people with tuberculosis resulted in data collection inconsistency. The local setting of Yamagata region deteriorated the data collection techniques.

Descriptive epidemiology

Epidemiology is a research study that concerns prevalence, transmission and control mechanisms of diseases and factors affecting health. Descriptive epidemiology seeks to set up accurate and definite depiction of the principle factors such as time, geographical situation and the individuals’ characteristics relating to the research question. Descriptive epidemiology efficiently organizes and evaluates data available hence enhancing comprehension of disease frequency variations in certain locations. The descriptive epidemiologic study design enables data classification according to geographical location and condition differences among individuals depending on their demographic properties.

Bourdillon et al. (2017) study depicts an illustration of a descriptive epidemiologic that focuses on investigating the capacity and distribution of tuberculosis disease in Brazil prisons (Bourdillon et al., 2017). The research study fundamental purpose is to explore the frequency of tuberculosis disease in Brazil jails. The risk factors that may cause tuberculosis transmission in prisons include inadequate ventilation systems, overcrowding and poor accessibility of health services. The research data were obtained from the prisoners’ medical records from the Brazil health database. The research study involved all the prisoners including those on basic trial. The data analyses comprised of more than ninety-two percent of the prison population from the year 2009 to 2014. The research findings indicated that the tuberculosis patients in prison had increased by approximately seven percent from 2009 to 2014. The combination of tuberculosis cases in prison and the national data stated that the prisons are responsible for the development of tuberculosis burden in Brazil.

Analytic epidemiology

Analytical epidemiology focuses on researching and evaluating the potential risks and preventive factors of diseases. Analytic Epidemiology investigates the strength of statistical correlation between illness and the probable variable. Analytical research study applies the retrospective technique to establish suitable links between the disease and the root causal. Dickson et al. (2017) research illustrates an example of an analytical epidemiology research design. The research study primary aim is to find out the tuberculosis disease transmission in some part of England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Dickson et al., 2017). The research study was conducted from 2002 to 2014: the time variable. Tuberculosis control measures have been established to curb the rate of transmission over the past many years. However, the rate of tuberculosis disease occurrence in some parts of Wales, England, and Northern Ireland is disturbing (Dickson et al., 2017). Tuberculosis disease in cattle creates a probable health hazard for both animals and humans. The Dickson et al. (2017) the research seeks to verify the Mycobacterium tuberculosis occurrence in people and determine the correlated variable.

The research study comprised of every person with Mycobacterium Bovis detailed examination. The Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis patients were compared to determine the demographic and clinical features. Questionnaires were used to identify patients’ exposure to any potential threats. The research study acquires three hundred and fifty-seven incidences with a yearly increase. The questionnaire results showed that the rate of Mycobacterium bovis transmission was as high as eighty percent. The research study terms Mycobacterium bovis incidence as the culture-confirmed human rate (Dickson et al., 2017, p.378). The Mycobacterium bovis occurrences in human were further confirmed by the scientific laboratories in the region. The rate of occurrence of Mycobacterium bovis transmission was estimated using Poisson regression technique.

The results showed that most of the patients were sixty-five years and above with the United Kingdom as their country of origin. The use unpasteurized milk poses as a possible medium for Mycobacterium bovis transmission in seventy-four percent of the sick people. However, the research study validates that Mycobacterium bovis disease occurrence in human is rare in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The research study experienced zero level of limitations.

Comparison

Both Bourdillon et al. (2017) and Hall et al. (2017) research studies categorize the occurrence of the disease depending on the particular group of people to be considered, a specific timeframe of studying and certain areas where the conditions occur. The descriptive and epidemiology research studies provide a necessary foundation for planning, provision, and assessment of health facilities. The descriptive and analytical epidemiology studies focus on one major issue of interest which is a particular fraction of a given population with distinct characteristics. The principle subjects are selected in both cases based on if the individuals have the disease or not. The two research designs depict aspects of quantitative analysis. Bourdillon et al. (2017) descriptive epidemiology measures the frequency of tuberculosis occurrence in prisons while Hall et al. (2017) analytical epidemiology measures the correlation of risks and disease.

The Hall et al. (2017) analytical research epidemiology involves evaluation of a hypothesis while the Bourdillon et al. (2017) descriptive research study does not involve any assumption. Hall et al. (2017) the study is based on the theory that Mycobacterium bovis transmission is prevalent in some parts England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Analytical research design seeks to verify the validity of the research hypothesis. Descriptive epidemiology provides data that enhance the generation of case-control hypotheses. Descriptive epidemiology research design determines the significant problems to be evaluated further using analytical techniques and recommends focal points in situations.

Hall et al. (2017) epidemiology assesses the potential risks and disease causes resulting in the retrospective method, unlike the descriptive epidemiology. The descriptive epidemiology evaluates the possible causes of diseases and recommends preventive strategies. Analytical epidemiologic begins from the outcome to the root causal of a disease.

References

Bourdillon, P. M., Gonçalves, C., Pelissari, D., Arakaki-Sanchez, D., Ko, A. I., Croda, J....Andrews, J. R. (2017). Increase in Tuberculosis Cases among Prisoners, Brazil, 2009–2014. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 23(3), 496-499. https://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2303.161006.

Davidson, J. A., Loutet, M. G., O’Connor, C., Kearns, C., Smith, R., Lalor, M. K....Zenner, D. (2017). Epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis Disease in Humans in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, 2002–2014. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 23(3), 377-386. https://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2303.161408.

Hall, J. L., Alpers, K., Bown, K. J., Martin, S. J., & Birtles, R. J. (2017). Use of Mass-Participation Outdoor Events to Assess Human Exposure to Tickborne Pathogens. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 23(3), 463-467. https://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2303.161397.